Microsoft Announces Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service

Xbox On.

UPDATE: Despite previously saying "Xbox Game Pass will only be available on Xbox One and Windows 10 devices," Microsoft has clarified the Xbox Game Pass service will not be coming to Windows 10 PCs.

Microsoft explained what's going on to PCGamesN, saying: "The Xbox One and PC icons appear on the Xbox Game Pass description page because you can redeem on console, web and PC, however, Xbox Game Pass is only available on Xbox One consoles."

The article has been updated to reflect this new information. Apologies for any confusion.

Microsoft has announced a new on-demand service, Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass offers timed access to a library of Xbox One and Xbox 360 for £7.99 / $9.99 a month. Where it differs from Sony’s streaming service PS Now is users can download each of the games in the library directly to their Xbox One. .

Specific games include: Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16, and SoulCalibur II. Spencer says there will be access to over 100 Xbox One and 360 games at launch.

Every month will see new games cycle in-and-out-of the subscription. All games found in the Game Pass can be purchased at a discounted price. 20 percent comes off an Xbox One game, while 10 percent comes off of all available DLC. This is, however, only available while the game is in the Game Pass catalog.

“In addition, all Xbox One games in the catalog – and related add-ons – will be available to purchase at an exclusive discount for Xbox Game Pass members, so you can make the games you love part of your permanent library to play whenever you want. Every month new games will cycle into the subscription with some cycling out, giving you a constantly-updating library of games. Xbox Game Pass is your ticket to endless play.”

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass goes into beta for select members of the Xbox Insider Program’s Alpha Preview ring starting today. Xbox Live Gold members will also receive access to Xbox Game Pass ahead of it launching to non-Gold users.

From the Game Pass FAQ regarding whether the users retains ownership once their subscription ends.

"No, the Xbox Game Pass catalogue will update with new games being added every month. You need an active Xbox Game Pass subscription to play games. If you love a game currently in the catalogue and want to own it, you can buy it and instantly save 20 per cent off the price of the base game with your Xbox Game Pass membership, plus get 10 per cent off any related game add-ons and consumables while the game is still in the Xbox Game Pass catalogue.

"If your subscription expires or is cancelled, any games downloaded through Xbox Game Pass will no longer be available. However, progress and achievements will remain attached to your account. All games that you have purchased from Xbox/Xbox Store will remain in your games library until you manually remove them."